Touching bunny’s front feet for clipping nails..

[Jess and Luna]

I have had my bunny Luna for 2 weeks and noticed her nails were quite long. I used to clip our guinea pigs nails so I figured it wouldn’t be any harder! In fact the back legs were easy. She sat happily on my lap while I cut her the nails on her back legs and I didn’t have to hold her down or anything, she just sat and let me do it. BUT her front legs were a huge no, she kept trying to get away and I managed one nail clipped but I didn’t want to stress her out so I let her play and have a break from me haha.

I was just wondering if anyone has any tips for getting your bunny to let you touch their front feet? I don’t really want to have to hold her down if I don’t have to, especially as she was so good for me doing her back legs. Has anyone else had this struggle?

Info: I know I could take her to the vets and they would do it but I feel like its unnecessary stress when I can do it here! She’s 12 weeks old and is an indoor bunny that so far has bonded with me very well but is shy around new people.

Thank you!!

Jess!! xx

[kurottabun]

You could try putting down some of her favourite treats and when she’s distracted or busy eating, sneakily cut her nails?

[Deleted User]

I’ve always found it hard – too hard – to do it when they’re on their feet. I put them in between my legs on their back, so their legs all stick out, and it’s really quick and easy. Most of them don’t like being in that position but it only takes a few minutes and they’re fine as soon as it’s done.

[Muj Mom N Bun]

At first, with BunBun, it was a two person, super stressful job that usually ended up having to be done in two different sessions… fronts one day, whew, backs another! With BunBun she gave hardest amount of time with the back paws… she wasn’t having it!

During the next several weeks as she began to know that she was loved and safe and that she can trust us, I began touching her paws gently and even practicing holding her paws while petting her to get her more used to me touching her feet and know nothing bad was going to happen.

The very first day I got her, her nails were terribly neglected and she allowed us to cut them without much fuss… but I’m pretty sure that her lack of fight was simply because she was scared of the entire new situation… Four months later and to the present, she is more than happy to sit on my lap and get plenty of attention, and 2 weeks ago while I was petting her I decided to brave it and see if she would let me cut her nails while on my lap, alone… success! I just took my time petting her in between to not stress her.

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